Anti-inflammatory properties of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris might be related to its linear (1¿3)-ß-D-glucan.

The Ascomycete Cordyceps militaris, an entomopathogenic fungus, is one of the most important traditional Chinese medicines. Studies related to its pharmacological properties suggest that this mushroom can exert interesting biological activities. Aqueous (CW and HW) and alkaline (K5) extracts containing polysaccharides were prepared from this mushroom, and a ß-D-glucan was purified. This polymer was analysed by GC-MS and NMR spectrometry, showing a linear chain composed of ß-D-Glcp (1¿3)-linked. The six main signals in the 13C-NMR spectrum were assigned by comparison to reported data. The aqueous (CW, HW) extracts stimulated the expression of IL-1ß, TNF-a, and COX-2 by THP-1 macrophages, while the alkaline (K5) extract did not show any effect. However, when the extracts were added to the cells in the presence of LPS, K5 showed the highest inhibition of the pro-inflammatory genes expression. This inhibitory effect was also observed for the purified ß-(1¿3)-D-glucan, that seems to be the most potent anti-inflammatory compound present in the polysaccharide extracts of C. militaris. In vivo, ß-(1¿3)-D-glucan also inhibited significantly the inflammatory phase of formalin-induced nociceptive response, and, in addition, it reduced the migration of total leukocytes but not the neutrophils induced by LPS. In conclusion, this study clearly demonstrates the anti-inflammatory effect of ß-(1¿3)-D-glucan

Exopolysaccharides, proteins and lipids in Pleurotus pulmonarius submerged culture using different carbon sources

AbstractFor many years mushrooms have been consumed and appreciated by their nutritional value, and medicinal properties. The traditional mushroom cultivation takes too long and the macrofungi biotechnology has not been explored in its full potential yet. The goal of this work was to observe if different carbon sources could improve the yield and diversify fungi nutrient composition in submerged culture.Pleurotus pulmonarius mycelia and exopolysacharide productions were evaluated using glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose. The mycelia yield varied depending on the culture medium, and galactose showed to be the best carbon source to produce EPS. Samples that showed the highest protein contents were grown with xylose (19.44%) and arabinose (26.05%). Furthermore, the biomass cultivated with these carbohydrates and with galactose showed five essential amino acids. All cultured biomass showed low lipid contents (∼1%), being composed mainly of unsaturated fatty acids. All EPS fractions showed as main structures glucans and mannogalactans

Isolation and chemical characterization of a glucogalactomannan of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris dried fruiting bodies were extracted with 5% KOH solution. The extract was purified by freeze-thawing treatment, and dialysis (100 kDa), giving rise to a homogeneous polysaccharide (M-w 23,000 Da). Its monosaccharide composition was mannose (56.7%), galactose (34.5%), and glucose (8.8%). The anomeric configurations were determined by their coupling constants. A complex polysaccharide was identified by NMR and methylation analysis. The HSQC spectrum showed signals at delta 107.7/5.06 and 106.1/5.14; 105.9/5.12 relative to beta-D-Galf, and O-2-substituted beta-D-Galf units, respectively. The sign at delta 104.4/5.21 corresponded to alpha-D-Galf. Other signals corresponded to alpha-D-Manp O-6- and O-2-substituted (delta 100.2/4.94; 100.5/5.27; 100.6/5.23; 100.7/5.16), and alpha-D-Manp 2,6-di-O-substituted (from delta 99.3 to 99.9). The main linkages, confirmed by methylation analysis, showed the derivatives: 2,3,4-Me-3-Manp (11.9%) and 3,4,6-Me-3-Manp (28.6%). The branches were (1 -> 6)-linked-alpha-D-Manp or (1 -> 2)-linked-beta-D-Galf, terminating with beta-D-Galf, alpha-D-Galf, alpha-D-Galp, or alpha-D-Manp. 42.7% of the partially hydrolyzed product consisted of 3,4,6-Me-3-Manp, suggesting a (1 -> 2)-linked backbone. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Isolation and chemical characterization of a glucogalactomannan of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps militaris dried fruiting bodies were extracted with 5% KOH solution. The extract was purified by freeze-thawing treatment, and dialysis (100 kDa), giving rise to a homogeneous polysaccharide (M-w 23,000 Da). Its monosaccharide composition was mannose (56.7%), galactose (34.5%), and glucose (8.8%). The anomeric configurations were determined by their coupling constants. A complex polysaccharide was identified by NMR and methylation analysis. The HSQC spectrum showed signals at delta 107.7/5.06 and 106.1/5.14; 105.9/5.12 relative to beta-D-Galf, and O-2-substituted beta-D-Galf units, respectively. The sign at delta 104.4/5.21 corresponded to alpha-D-Galf. Other signals corresponded to alpha-D-Manp O-6- and O-2-substituted (delta 100.2/4.94; 100.5/5.27; 100.6/5.23; 100.7/5.16), and alpha-D-Manp 2,6-di-O-substituted (from delta 99.3 to 99.9). The main linkages, confirmed by methylation analysis, showed the derivatives: 2,3,4-Me-3-Manp (11.9%) and 3,4,6-Me-3-Manp (28.6%). The branches were (1 -> 6)-linked-alpha-D-Manp or (1 -> 2)-linked-beta-D-Galf, terminating with beta-D-Galf, alpha-D-Galf, alpha-D-Galp, or alpha-D-Manp. 42.7% of the partially hydrolyzed product consisted of 3,4,6-Me-3-Manp, suggesting a (1 -> 2)-linked backbone. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Fish oil alters T-lymphocyte proliferation and macrophage responses in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) from postweaning until adulthood on T-lymphocyte proliferation, T-lymphocyte subpopulations (helper and cytotoxic), and production of cytotoxic mediators by macrophages in tumor-bearing rodents. METHODS: Weanling male Wistar rats received a normal low-fat (40 g/kg of diet) chow diet or a high-fat (300 g /kg) diet that included fish or sunflower oil or blends of fish and sunflower oils to yield omega-6:omega-3 PUFA ratios of approximately 6:1, 30:1, and 60:1 ad libitum. After 8 wk, 50% of rats in each group were inoculated with 1 mL of 2 x 10(7) Walker 256 cells. Fourteen days after tumor inoculation, animals were killed and lymphocytes and macrophages were obtained for study. RESULTS: The diets richest in omega-6 PUFA resulted in higher proliferation of thymus, spleen, and gut-associated lymphocytes compared with the chow diet irrespective of tumor burden. In contrast, the fish oil diet resulted in lower proliferation of thymus and spleen lymphocytes compared with the chow diet. Diets rich in omega-6 PUFA decreased the proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes. In non-tumor-bearing and tumor-bearing rats, hydrogen peroxide production by macrophages was highest in rats that consumed diets high in omega-3 PUFAs. Superoxide and nitric oxide production were little affected by the dietary ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 PUFAs. CONCLUSION: Dietary omega-6 and omega-3 PUFA contents alter immune function in non-tumor-bearing and tumor-bearing rats. The omega-3 PUFAs decreased T-cell proliferation but increased hydrogen peroxide production compared with omega-6 PUFAs. Decreased tumor growth and cachexia and increased survival previously reported for fish oil in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats may be related to improved macrophage function rather than to improved T-cell functio

Supplementary Material for: Role of Organic Anion Transporters in the Uptake of Protein-Bound Uremic Toxins by Human Endothelial Cells and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Expression

<p>Organic anion transporters (OATs) are involved in the uptake of uremic toxins such as p-cresyl sulfate (PCS) and indoxyl sulfate (IS), which play a role in endothelial dysfunction in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we investigated the role of OAT1 and OAT3 in the uptake of PCS and IS into human endothelial cells. PCS was synthesized via <i>p</i>-cresol sulfation and characterized using analytical methods. The cells were treated with PCS and IS in the absence and presence of probenecid (Pb), an OAT inhibitor. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. The absorbed toxins were analyzed using chromatography, OAT expression using immunocytochemistry and western blot, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cell viability decreased after toxin treatment in a dose-dependent manner. PCS and IS showed significant internalization after 60 min treatment, while no internalization was observed in the presence of Pb, suggesting that OATs are involved in the transport of both toxins. Immunocytochemistry and western blot demonstrated OAT1 and OAT3 expression in endothelial cells. MCP-1 expression increased after toxins treatment but decreased after Pb treatment. PCS and IS uptake were mediated by OATs, and OAT blockage could serve as a therapeutic strategy to inhibit MCP-1 expression.</p